How council tax works for students

If you're moving into student accommodation, you might not need to pay council tax, but you'll need to make sure you're eligible for the exemption. It can be difficult to unpick so here's all the information you need in our handy guide!

Do students pay council tax?

Whether you need to pay council tax will depend on your student status. If you are a full-time student living in the UK, you will not have to pay council tax. If you do receive a surprise council tax bill, you can apply for an exemption through the government website.

Do students pay council tax if they live with non-students?

Things work a little differently if you're living in a house with anyone who isn't a student. If you are, you will need to pay council tax for the house but you can qualify for a discount on your bill. You can apply for a Council Tax discount through the government website.

Who counts as a full-time student?

The government classes those who meet the following criteria as a full-time student. To qualify as a full-time student, your course must:

• Involve at least 21 hours of study per week
• Last at least a year

For those studying up to A-Level, your course must:

• Involved at least 12 hours of study per week
• Last at least 3 months

If you don't meet the specific criteria of a full-time student, some options mean you can still receive a discount on your council tax or you may be exempt under different criteria listed by the government.

Mature students

If you're a mature student with a full-time student status you won't have to pay council tax. However, you'll need to remember that if you're living with non-students, you will need to pay some council tax for your home.

Postgraduate students

Like undergraduate students, if you're a full-time postgraduate student at university, you'll be able to receive an exemption letter. However, things can seem a little more complicated if your teaching doesn't take place on campus, or you live in off-site accommodation. To resolve this, you may just need to provide some extra documentation. If you're struggling to understand what you need or how it impacts your council tax, contact your university's advice centre or Citizen's Advice.

How to get council tax exemption as a student

To qualify for council tax exemption, your local council will register you as a "disregarded person". Being a full-time student classifies you as a "disregarded person" and therefore you don't need to pay council tax under any circumstances.

You also qualify as a "disregarded person" if you are:

• Under 18 years old
• On certain apprentice schemes
• 18 or 19 years old and in full-time education
• A full-time student at a college or university
• Under 25 years old and get funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency
• A student nurse
• A foreign language assistant registered with the British Council
• Severely mentally impaired
• A live-in carer for someone who is not your partner, spouse, or child under 18
• A diplomat

Apply for your exemption

Apply for your exemption through the Gov UK website. If accepted and a full-time student, you won't need to pay any council tax, however, if you're living with others who aren't classed as a "disregarded person", you'll receive a discount.

This will look like:

• 50% off your bill if everyone living in your household is disregarded
• 25% off your bill if you pay council tax and either live on your own or everyone else is disregarded

What is a student certificate for council tax purposes?

Not all students will get a student certificate, but some councils will give students a tax exemption certificate as proof they don't have to pay. Sometimes the council do house checks on those who haven't paid council tax. Having a council tax student certificate will save you the headache later on so don't forget to apply!

When do you have to start paying council tax after being a student?

As soon as you move into a property after being a full-time student, you will need to start paying your council tax. If you aren't covered by other groups within the "disregarded person" criteria, then you'll start paying the full council tax bill.

Make sure to inform the council of the change as soon as possible. The last thing you want is for the council to realise you haven't been paying and be given a hefty bill!

What if I take a break from my studies?

As long as you intend to return to your course, the council will still class you as a full-time student. However, if after your break, you decide to leave your course, you will likely need to pay some council tax on your accommodation before your rent contract ends. You can learn more about things to consider when dropping out in our guide.

What if I live in a HMO?

A HMO is a house with multiple occupants. A HMO is considered a house made up of more than one household, and one or more tenants with their own tenancy agreement. In the case of a HMO, the homeowner is liable for the council tax. If you're the owner but qualify as a full-time student, you may still need to pay council tax.